We had a zoom meeting on Wednesday, January 10th at 7:00 pm to give you/us a chance to reflect on the Regenerate Cascadia events of October and November, to get an update on what’s been happening since then behind the scenes, to deepen our connections and to begin planning for the future. Please consider joining our Regenerate Whatcom group here on this website.
Zoom Recording Video – Passcode: W2#!2*nX
Land Acknowledgement
We recognize that Whatcom County, where we now reside occupies the unceded ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish People, including the Lummi (Lhaq’temish) Nation, the Nooksack (Nuxwsa’7aq) tribe peoples. We acknowledge with gratitude, the debt we owe them for their past and continued care of this land and the adjacent waters. We acknowledge that their lives are embedded in these mountains, these valleys and waterways, and that their wisdom is critical for this place and our joint communities to survive. May we not only acknowledge their continuing presence, but also respect their ways and wisdom following their guidance and accept the hand of friendship. May we work alongside our indigenous neighbors to build a strong, peaceful, loving, just, and sustainable community.
Summary – Whatcom Hub Zoom Meeting
The meeting focused on the Regenerate Whatcom project, a component of Sustainable Bellingham and Transition Whatcom. Updates were given on Regenerate Cascadia, and the vision and mission statements of both projects were discussed. The team encouraged open discussion and input on future plans, with topics such as sustainability, regenerative economics, and neighborhood challenges being discussed.
Regenerate Whatcom Project Update
The meeting was an update on the progress of the Regenerate Whatcom project, which is a part of Sustainable Bellingham and Transition Whatcom. The team introduced themselves and reflected on the Activation Tour and Summit. They also gave updates on Regenerate Cascadia and discussed the vision and mission statements of both projects. The team encouraged open discussion and sharing of thoughts, and asked for input on what attendees would like to see happen going forward.
Regeneration Activation Tour Reflection Seeking
09:46 David Macleod and David Ketter reviewed the recent activation tour events that took place on October 28th and 29th. The tour began with a presentation by Joel Brewer on regenerating Earth and the bioregionalism movement. Following the presentation, participants visited three different locations to see five regeneration projects, including an inspiration farm, a gravel pit, a neighbor’s property, and River Farm. The tour concluded with a Biochar burn by the Kulshan Carbon Trust at River Farm, where participants learned about community forestry. David Ketter mentioned that they are seeking reflections from participants about the activation tour.
Environmental Sustainability Discussion
14:47 David Ketter and David Macleod facilitated a discussion where participants, including Fanter and Steve, shared their backgrounds and interests related to environmental sustainability. Fanter, who has been involved in habitat restoration work for four years, mentioned their involvement in a workers cooperative in Walcom County and their interest in the intersection of habitat restoration and food systems. Steve, a retired software developer and long-time environmental activist, expressed their interest in exploring where they could fit in the group and their desire to increase eco-sustainable efforts in Bellingham Co. Housing. The conversation concluded with Fanter agreeing to provide more information through a Google Sheet shared in the group chat.
Sustainability, Resiliency, and Community Action
20:35 The meeting involved discussions about various topics, including sustainability, regenerative economics, and neighborhood challenges. Alex, a resident of Happy Valley, emphasized the importance of sustainability and resiliency in densely populated neighborhoods, focusing on restoration work and urban food policies. They expressed concern about the allocation of funds towards climate resiliency goals. Alan, living in a tiny intentional community, shared their passion for finding best practices for living in harmony with the planet. They initiated a school for change makers at the end of 2019. Tess, also living in the same intentional community as Alan, works on communications that foster well-being and better cross-cultural relationships, particularly in the context of learning English as a foreign language.
Regenerate Cascadia’s Activation Tour Update
26:41 The meeting involved introductions from various participants, including Tess, Sunita, Michael and and, Maddie, Sam, Megan, Jerry, Clare, Hunter, Bryce, and David. The participants shared their backgrounds, interests, and involvement in sustainability and regenerative practices. Additionally, Brandon provided an update on Regenerate Cascadia’s activities since the activation tour, highlighting their ongoing work and plans for the future.
Cascadia Movement’s Organizational Structure Development
41:19 Brandon discussed the ongoing work to create a space for the regenerate Cascadia movement. This includes co-creating organizing structures and vision, providing services to support local groups and individuals, and co-creating a digital home for updates and community spaces. Brandon highlighted the focus on creating communities or hubs and topics and guilds, and the aim to provide a backbone for the movement. He also mentioned the creation of a Cascadia seed guild and the goal of connecting different seed guilds across the region. Brandon discussed the shift to a Beta stage of the project, which includes inviting more people in and hosting info sessions and meetings. The project is supported by a 501 c. 3 back end, providing fiscal support to different hubs and guilds. Brandon encouraged interested parties to join the Wacom hub and attend an upcoming information session.
Website Platform for Communication and Collaboration
48:35 The team discussed a website that serves as a platform for communication, information sharing, and project collaboration. Brian explained that the website consists of a front-facing static page where guilds and hubs can create their own pages and a community forum for members to engage in discussions and chats. They highlighted the various guilds available on the platform and encouraged people to sign up and explore. The team also discussed the website’s features such as news feeds, notifications, and messaging capabilities. David Ketter asked Brian to show how to access their website group, and Brian guided them through the process.
Regenerative Movement Platform Development
55:54 The team discussed the ongoing development of a new site aimed at coordinating and supporting regenerative movements. Clare emphasized the importance of such a platform to prevent duplicated work and ensure progress. David Macleod raised a concern about the site’s functionality, and Brandon assured them that feedback and suggestions are encouraged. The team was reminded that they need to be logged in to provide feedback. The connection between Regenerate Whatcom and other organizations such as Sustainable Bellingham and Transition Whatcom was also discussed, with the vision and mission statements of these groups being considered for alignment. David Macleod highlighted the importance of being aware of the 9 planetary boundaries and the principles for regenerative economies.
Design Principles and Website Discussion
01:06:34 David Ketter and David Macleod discussed the Prosocials’ eight core design principles that will guide their organization. They also touched on the creation of a co-social framework and principles, and the importance of understanding these roots for the future work. The meeting also involved a detailed discussion about the Regenerate Cascadia website and the Transition Whatcom site, with a focus on their features and the possibility of focusing on one or the other. A Google Sheet was shared for members to provide their contact information and share their interests, offerings, needs, and wants. Finally, they mentioned Joe Brewer’s design school for regeneration as a valuable resource.
Design Tool, Event, Cohort, Learning Center, Volunteers, Urban Forest Master Plan, Urban Water Landscape Design
01:13:51 David Macleod and David Ketter discussed their ongoing work on a design tool for earth regeneration and an upcoming event in March in partnership with Joe. They also proposed creating a Cascadia cohort with free access to their learning center. The team emphasized the importance of starting with the first step and being careful about the initial steps as they can set the direction for future actions. Upcoming events at Inspiration Farm and Queen Mountain Farm, focusing on regeneration and hands-on learning, were discussed. The team also discussed the need for volunteers for setup and teardown at events and plans to start a community nursery for tree crops. Alex shared their excitement about the upcoming urban forest master plan for Bellingham, which aims to protect 45% of the canopy coverage. The team also agreed on the need for urban water landscape design, which could cover curb cuts, rainwater catchment, and grey water systems. The next meeting was scheduled for February.
Next Steps
- Brandon will schedule a call with David, Brian, and Celt to discuss the 501c3 back end and its benefits for Regenerate Cascadia groups.
- Join the Whacom hub for an in-depth information session with Clare and Brandon next Thursday.
- Alex to consider leading a discussion on the Bellingham Urban Forest Master Plan and how to get involved.
- Brian to consider starting a community nursery for tree crops.
- Brian and Michael to consider organizing an urban water in the landscape workshop series.
